Method and apparatus for software access to a microprocessor serial number

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for software to access a microprocessor serial number. Provision of the serial number allows the manufacturer better control over its product and also permits software vendors to register their products. The serial number is encrypted using a pair of encryption keys to prevent unauthorized changes. At least one of the encryption keys is itself encoded to prevent unauthorized access, while permitting software to access the serial number.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to microprocessor serial numbers and, more particularly, to a method of using an encoded encryption key to access the microprocessor serial number.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REALTED ART

For some time, workstations, minicomputers, and mainframes have had serial numbers embedded in them which uniquely identify them. Addition of a serial number allows a manufacturer to trace a product in the field back to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This allows the manufacturer greater control over its product. In addition, provision of a serial number permits independent software vendors to register their products. Microprocessors and personal computers typically have not been tracked by serial number, partly due to the added expense of providing circuitry to store and/or read a serial number.

As the complexity of the microprocessors themselves has increased, however, it is becoming increasingly cost-effective to provide additional circuitry and/or process steps to provide a serial number. Moreover, a serial number may be associated with particular software. Thus, for example, software that is installed on a particular processor may read a password and thereafter be keyed to the particular microprocessor wherein an attempt to install the software on a different processor would fail. Nevertheless, standard methods of providing serial number identification in a computer system are generally expensive; in a competitive microprocessor market, it is desirable to keep such costs at a minimum. Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive, yet effective way of providing a serial number with a microprocessor in order to trace a product in the field back to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

A problem with providing a microprocessor serial number in machine readable form is that it can become accessible to unauthorized users and thus susceptible to unauthorized alteration. Accordingly, there is a need for a mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to a machine readable serial number.

Still another problem with providing a microprocessor serial number and serializing the software is that if the processor is upgraded or otherwise replaced, the software will cease to function. (Serializing software is herein defined as providing a CPU serial number to a given set of software. The software will be not able to run on a processor not having that serial number.) However, to the software, there is little difference between being loaded onto an unauthorized computer system and having an unauthorized processor provided to it. In either case, the software will be keyed to a processor that is no longer present and will not function. Accordingly, what is needed is an upgrade method whereby serialized software can detect that it is running on an unauthorized processor and in response thereto can initiate a reauthorization process. If the reauthorization process is successful, the software will function on the upgrade processor. Failure at the reauthorization process, however, will mean that the software itself is loaded onto an unauthorized system and, hence, not function.

As discussed above, it is also desirable to serialize software. To do so, however, it is desirable to provide an easy method of accessing the serial number by the software while at the same time maintaining the serial number's inaccessibility to unauthorized changes.

The present invention thereby permits software to read and access a microprocessor serial number and its encryption keys. In addition, a mechanism is provided to code the keys to prevent their becoming known to the casual user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is provided a unique system and method for providing access to a microprocessor serial number. A mechanism is provided for storing a microprocessor serial number in a nonvolatile random access memory formed within the same device package as the processor. The microprocessor serial number is encrypted using a double-key encryption scheme in order to prevent unauthorized access and alteration. An encryption key is itself encoded to provide easy access to an authorized user, while preventing unauthorized reading of the serial number. Finally, there is provided a method whereby software that has been serialized to a particular processor can detect that it is running on an unauthorized processor and request reauthorization.

The present invention thereby permits software to read and access a microprocessor serial number and its encryption keys. In addition, a mechanism is provided to code the keys to prevent their becoming known to the casual user.

Accordingly, there is provided a small, nonvolatile random access memory packaged with the CPU die to provide a storage space for the CPU serial number which can be programmed before leaving the factory. Both the CPU die and the nonvolatile RAM die reside within the cavity of the package. Connection between the two die is provided by conventional wire bonding and kept to a minimum by providing a serial interface between the RAM and the CPU.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, access to the nonvolatile RAM storing the CPU serial number is controlled by encryption and logic on the processor. Two small layered encryption keys are used to increase security of the mechanism. The serial number may be changed only if both keys are correct. The keys and encryption algorithm are known only to the manufacturer. Register space is provided for an 80-bit serial number and two 32-bit keys. A checksum is included in the data stored in the RAM to allow detection of errors in the transfer of the RAM data to and from the CPU.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, an upgrade method is provided whereby serialized software detects that it is running on an unauthorized processor and initiates a reauthorization process based on a reauthorization use profile. The temporary reenabling of the software is allowed if the authorization service is not available or not allowed. Limited use is provided to the user until the problem is resolved.

In accordance with still another aspect of the claimed invention, a code sequence is provided for detecting a serialized CPU, extracting the CPU serial number and providing it to applications by a standard application program interface (API).

Broadly speaking, the invention contemplates a method wherein the encryption key are encoded to provide an encoded encryption key. This can include, for example, summing the bytes of a multiple-byte encryption key. When access to the encryption key and the serial number are desired, the bytes of the encryption key are decoded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b are block diagrams showing a nonvolatile RAM die and CPU die sharing a device package in accordance with one embodiment of the claimed invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of an encryption system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a register set encryption system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4a, 4ba and 4c are flowcharts illustrating the write-read and unlock processes of encrypting in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an upgrade reauthorization system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating accessing the serial number is accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating encryption in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives following within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to FIG. 1a, a diagram is shown of an integrated circuit package 2 which includes central processing unit (CPU) die 6, nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM) die 8, die cavity 4, and device package 10. In a preferred embodiment, NVRAM die 8 is formed separately from CPU die 6. Turning now to FIG. 1b, NVRAM die 8 is coupled to CPU die 6 by means of signal lines 14a, 14b, 14c. Signal lines 14a, 14b, and 14c are attached to CPU die 6 and NVRAM die 8 by means of bond pads, 12a, 12b, 12c and 16a, 16b, 16c, respectively. In one embodiment, signal line 14a is a transmit line; signal line 14b is a receive line; and signal line 14c is a clock line, and form a serial interface between the NVRAM and the CPU. In an alternative embodiment, NVRAM die 8 may be connected to CPU die 6 by means of a single transmission line. In that embodiment, the CPU and NVRAM include additional circuitry to provide the serial interface. The NVRAM is programmed with the CPU serial number prior to leaving the factory.

While providing the CPU serial number in NVRAM packaged with the CPU die provides cost advantages over, for example, permanently etching a serial number onto the die, a mechanism is needed to prevent unauthorized access to the serial number. Access to the NVRAM, and hence the serial number, is controlled via encryption keys and logic on the processor. Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of an exemplary encryption mechanism. The CPU includes NVRAM interface logic 18, coupled to control logic 20 and encryption/decryption logic 22. Control logic 20 and encryption/decryption logic 22 are further coupled to one another. Control logic 20 supervises the read, write serial number processes. Encryption/decryption logic 22 performs the encryption and decryption of the serial number as described below. Encryption/decryption logic 22 is also coupled to machine or model specific registers 24. Machine specific registers 24 provide the programmers interface and are of a type common in advanced x86-type processors and include command and/or status bits (e.g., unlock, read, etc.). It should be noted, however, that the use of other processors or registers is contemplated. Control logic 20 is further coupled to Get Serial Number command line 26, Write Serial Number command line 28, and Error line 30. NVRAM interface logic 18 controls transfers to and from the NVRAM.

FIG. 3 illustrates 80-bit serial number 32, 32-bit key A 36, and 32-bit key B 38. Eighty bit serial number 32, and keys 36, 38 are stored in machine specific registers 24. Sixteen bit checksum 34 is further included in the data stored in the NVRAM to allow detection of errors in the transfer of the data to and from the CPU. However, the checksum 34 is not used in the encryption process. A layered encryption method using the two keys 36, 38 is employed to increase the security of the mechanism. The serial number itself may be changed only if both keys 36, 38 are correct. The keys and the encryption algorithm are known only to the manufacturer.

Turning now to FIG. 4a, a flow diagram of a write process used to write a new serial number is shown. Initially, serial numbers are provided in the machine specific registers (MSR) 24 (step 100), as are keys 36, 38 (step 104, step 102). Next, in step 106, key 38 is used to provide a first level of encryption to the serial number stored in the machine specific registers 24. The encrypted serial number (step 108) and key B are then further encrypted using key A in step 112. The now double-encrypted serial number are shown in step 114, without cyclical redundancy checksum (CRC). Next, in step 116, the double encrypted serial number with encrypted key B is output to the NVRAM using CRC generation. In step 118, the resulting encrypted serial number with CRC is stored.

Turning now to FIG. 4b, a flow diagram of a read process is shown. The stored double-encrypted serial number and encrypted key B with CRC is initially stored (step 120) in the NVRAM. In step 122, an NVRAM to CPU transfer occurs using error detection. The resulting double-encrypted serial number and encrypted key B without CRC (step 124) is then decrypted in step 126 using key A from the machine specific registers (step 128). Having decrypted using key A in step 130, what remains is the encrypted serial number with key B (step 132). Key B is then used to decrypt the encrypted serial number in step 134. The resulting completely decrypted serial number is then stored in the machine specific registers in step 136. A schematic representation of the decryption process may be found in FIG. 7. Key A is applied to double-encrypted serial number and encrypted key B 123. The resulting encrypted serial number 125 is then decrypted using key B. The resulting serial number in step 127 is then stored in microprocessor serial number (or machine specific) register 24.

The above described read and write processes are permitted only in the event that the CPU is in an unlocked state. This can occur upon programming of a new serial number for the first time. For example, when the processor is first assembled, the NVRAM is zeroed out. The processor will detect this state and enter the unlocked state which will allow the initial serial number to be programmed by the write method described above. If, however, the device previously had a serial number within it, the unlock sequence described below must be run in order to reprogram the serial number. More particularly, turning now to FIG. 4c, in an initial state, the serial number is stored in the machine specific registers, as are keys A, B (steps 138, 140, and 142). The serial number is then encrypted using key B in step 144. The resulting encrypted serial number (step 146) and key B are further encrypted in step 148 using key A. The resulting double-encrypted serial number and encrypted key B in step 150 are then input into a comparator in step 152. At the same time, the previously stored double-encrypted serial number with encrypted key B and CRC (step 154) is transferred from NVRAM to the CPU with the appropriate error detection in step 156. In step 158, the double-encrypted serial number and key B is output to the comparator (step 152). The two outputs from steps 150 and 158 are compared in comparator 152. If there is a match, the processor will enter an unlock state (step 160).

As can readily be appreciated, the processes described above are necessarily processor specific. Increasingly, however, easy upgrades of processors are available. A processor upgrade will cause software that is linked to the processor's serial number ("serialized software") to cease functioning. In accordance with one aspect of the claimed invention, a method is provided whereby serialized software can detect that it is running on an upgraded (unauthorized) processor and will initiate a reauthorization process. In a preferred embodiment, the reauthorization procedure is carried out through use of a series of application programming interfaces (API). The relevant APIs are set forth below:

    ______________________________________                                         Read.sub.-- CPU.sub.-- Serial.sub.-- Number                                    This function allows the OS and application calling it to enable the           reading                                                                        of the CPU serial number. In one embodiment, in order to read the serial       number, a 32-bit key must be entered as well as setting a                      read.sub.-- serial.sub.-- number bit in the appropriate MSR.                   Entry:                                                                                  MSR to be accessed for the serial number                                       The 32 bit key                                                        Exit:                                                                                   CPU Serial Number                                                     Upgrade.sub.-- CPU.sub.-- Serial.sub.-- Number                                 This function will perform the automatic upgrade and re-authorization          process when a CPU upgrade has occurred.                                              Entry:                                                                               New serial number                                                              Old serial number                                                        Exit:                                                                                Authorization == 0 - not allowed                                               Authorization == 1 - allow upgrade                                Lock.sub.-- With.sub.-- New.sub.-- CPU.sub.-- Serial.sub.-- Number             If the Upgrade.sub.-- CPU returns an Authorization = 1 then the                corresponding                                                                  application will take the appropriate actions to change the software           locking                                                                        scheme utilized.                                                               Entry:   New serial number                                                     Exit:    Success == 1 -> lock with new serial number OK                                 Success == 0 -> lock with new serial number FAILED                    Get.sub.-- Previous.sub.-- CPU.sub.-- Serial Number                            This function provides a mechanism for the OS and application to               retrieve                                                                       what the previous CPU serial number stored into the system.                    Entry:                                                                                  nothing                                                               Exit:                                                                                   Success == 1 or 0                                                              if Success == 1                                                                 Previous CPU serial number stored by the system                             else                                                                              nothing                                                              ______________________________________                                    

The authorization process is detailed in FIG. 5. The procedure is initiated in step 200. At step 202, the current CPU serial number of the installed microprocessor is read via the Read- CPU- Serial- Number API command described above. In the next step, step 204, the most recently stored serial number is retrieved via the Get Previous CPU Serial Number API command. If the current CPU serial number is the same as the previous CPU serial number (step 206), then the process is finished in step 208. If, however, the two are not equal, then in step 210, the Upgrade CPU Serial Number API command will be initiated and authorization sought. Authorization is obtained by contacting the vendor via a telephone voice, data, Internet connection 211 or other remote connection. Based on an authorization use profile, the reenabling of the software may be allowed in step 212. If authorization is permitted, then in step 214, the software lock will be performed using the new CPU serial number and the Lock with new CPU serial number API command (step 214). If authorization is not allowed, then in step 216, the upgrade will not be permitted. In either case, the process is completed in step 208. If the authorization service routine is not available, or authorization is denied, then one embodiment contemplates an API for allowing limited use so that the user may use this system until the problem is resolved.

One potential gap in the encryption mechanism described above is that the 32-bit key A and 32-bit key B are stored in the machine specific registers. It should be noted that, although both keys are necessary to write the serial number, only one need be provided to read it. Accordingly, the key value that is needed to read the serial number must be encoded in order to protect against users retrieving the key value. In addition, it is desirable to reduce the data size of the key from four bytes to one or two bytes in order to preserve CMOS. This aspect of the claimed invention is best described in reference to FIG. 6 as well as the APIs described below:

    ______________________________________                                         Initialize.sub.-- Key                                                          This function can only be initiated by the systems manufacturer. The           purpose of this function is to facilitate the storage of the 32-bit key        value                                                                          into the CMOS. This function will encode the key and store into CMOS.          Entry:                                                                                  32-bit Key value                                                               CMOS index for storage of the encoded value                           Exit:                                                                                   Nothing                                                               Encode.sub.-- And.sub.-- Store.sub.-- Key                                      This function will be called by the Initialize.sub.-- Key function. This       function                                                                       will encode the key and store it in the system CMOS. The key will not be       100% protected but will prevent the normal users from decoding the key         information from system CMOS memory.                                           Entry:                                                                                  32-bit Key value                                                               CMOS index for storage of the encoded value                           Exit:                                                                                   Nothing                                                               Decode.sub.-- Key                                                              This function will retrieve the encoded key value from CMOS and decode         it for use                                                                     Entry:                                                                                  CMOS index for stored encoded key value                               Exit:                                                                                   32-bit Key value                                                      The following diagram illustrates the system software access and control       of the serial number and key.                                                  ______________________________________                                    

More particularly, with reference to FIG. 6, coding the serial number key begins at step 250. If the systems manufacture has initialized the key (step 252), then the Initialize Key API command will be asserted (step 254), in order to initialize the serial number key. Upon initialization, the CPU serial number key is prepared for system storage (step 256) via the Encode and Store Key API command. Among other things, the Encode and Store Key API command will encode the key. For example, the function may provide a summation of the key bytes and store them in system CMOS or a more complex encoding. If key access is not requested (step 258), then the process is completed (step 252). If, however, the key number access is requested, then the key value is read back for system use (step 260) using the Decode Key API command. Once the key value has been retrieved, reading the serial number may proceed as described above. While the above system and method will not provide complete protection against unauthorized access to the key or serial number, the casual user will not be able to gain unauthorized access.

The invention described in the above-detailed description is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can reasonably be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A computer system comprising:a central processing unit, wherein said central processing unit comprises at least one register having a storage for a plurality of bytes, wherein said at least one register stores at least one encryption key and an unecrypted microprocessor serial number; a memory unit coupled to said central processing unit to store an encrypted microprocessor serial number; an encryption/decryption circuitry coupled to said at least one register and said memory unit, wherein said encryption/decryption circuitry provides an encryption to said unencryption microprocessor serial number using said at least one encryption key, and wherein said encryption/decryption circuitry further provides a decryption to said encryption microprocessor serial number using said at least one encryption key; and an interface circuitry coupled to said encryption/decryption circuitry and said memory unit to provide said encrypted microprocessor serial number to said memory unit.
 2. A method for writing a serial number for a microprocessor using encryption, said method comprising:storing a first key of at least one byte in a first storage location in said microprocessor; encrypting a plurality of bytes of said serial number stored in said first storage location using said first key, thereby providing an encrypted serial number; further storing a second key of at least one byte in said first storage location; and further encrypting said encrypted serial number along with said first key using said second key, thereby writing a double encrypted serial number along with an encrypted first key in said first storage location.
 3. The method as in claim 2, further comprising:further storing said double encrypted serial number and said encrypted first key with cyclical redundancy checksum bits in a second storage location coupled to said microprocessor.
 4. The method according to claim 3 wherein said second storage location is a non-volatile random access memory.
 5. A method of reading an encrypted serial number for a microprocessor, said method comprising:(a) accessing a first key of at least one byte, wherein said first key being stored in a first storage location in said microprocessor; (b) extracting a second key of at least one byte by decrypting a plurality of bytes of said encrypted serial number using said first key, wherein said encrypted serial number being stored in said first storage location; and (c) further decrypting said plurality of bytes of said encrypted serial number using said second key, thereby providing a decrypted serial number for said microprocessor.
 6. The method as in claim 5, further includes storing said decrypted serial number in said first storage location.
 7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein step (a) includes storing said first key in said first storage location by decoding an encoded key value via a Decode-Key application programming interface, wherein said encoded key value being stored in said microprocessor.
 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein step(b) further includes:receiving a cyclical redundancy checksum bits encoded serial number from a second storage location coupled to said microprocessor; decoding said cyclical redundancy checksum bits, thereby providing said encrypted serial number; and storing said encrypted serial number in said first storage location.
 9. The method as in claim 8, wherein said second storage location is a non-volatile random access memory.
 10. A method of preparing a microprocessor for reprogramming a serial number, said method comprising:storing a first key of at least one byte in a first storage location in said microprocessor; encrypting a plurality of bytes of a first serial number stored in said first storage location using said first key, thereby providing a first encrypted serial number; further storing a second key of at least one byte in said first storage location; further encrypting said first encrypted serial number along with said first key using said second key, thereby providing a first double encrypted serial number along with an encrypted first key in said first storage location; receiving a cyclical redundancy checksum bits encoded serial number from a second storage location coupled to said microprocessor; decoding said cyclical redundancy checksum bits, thereby providing a second double encrypted serial number and an encrypted third key; comparing said second double encrypted serial number and said encrypted third key with said first double encrypted serial number and said encrypted first key in a comparator in said microprocessor; and allowing said microprocessor for reprogramming said serial number when said comparator produces a match.
 11. A method of configuring a serialized software through a plurality of application programming interfaces (API) to upgrade its microprocessor serial number, wherein said serialized software being executable in a computer system having a CPU and a memory, said method comprising:(a) reading a serial number for said CPU via a Read-CPU-Serial-Number API command, wherein said serial number is stored in said CPU; (b) retrieving a last CPU serial number stored in said memory via a Get-Previous-CPU-Serial-Number API; (c) remotely seeking an authorization via an Upgrade-CPU-Serial-Number API when said serial number in step(a) and said last CPU serial number in step(b) do not match; and (d) locking said software with said serial number in step(a) via a Lock-with-new-CPU-Serial-Number API upon receiving said authorization in step(c). 